GLP guidelines dictates that original experiment data sets cannot be modified. eLabJournal offers the possibility to use a digital signature to lock experiment data according to FDA regulations CFR 21 part 11.
To sign an experiment, click on the sign button in the experiment action toolbar.
A popup window will appear in which the user can enter the password to electronically sign the experiment. You may either use your personal password, or a valid Two-Step authentication token. The latter is usefull if you are using your institute credentials during the login procedure and don't have an eLabJournal specific password.
After signing the experiment, the data linked to the experiment can no longer be modified. Please note that you need to have permission to sign experiments.
Even thought an experiment is fully locked after signing, it is still possible to attach comments. This allows you to add observations in retrospect, without compromising the integrity of the originally signed experiment. You can add comments by pressing the corresponding 'Add Comment' button in the section menu's.
Optionally, groups can choose to enable counter-signing for experiments. Navigate to My Groups, edit the group, and select in the Group Policies tab the option Witness Signature required. Please note that only the group administrator can enable and disable this feature.
After the Witness Signature feature has been enabled, the user will be asked to appoint a witness during the signing process. This witness will then be notified by a message that is displayed on his/her dashboard. The witness may either choose to approve and sign the experiment, which locks the experiments from further change; or to revoke the original signature thereby unlocking the experiment to allow further modifications. The process of signing and witnessing may at any point be repeated. As soon as both signatures have been set, the experiment is fully locked for modifications. From this point, even the witness itself cannot undo the process.